Thousands of people are crowding the Iowa State Fair Friday night to celebrate East Side night.WATCH VIDEO HERE. Designated on the first Friday night of the fair, East Side Night is an unofficial fair holiday that has gained a notorious reputation for the party-like atmosphere.Some East-siders, though, told KCCI the celebration means something more.“We just all get together,” said Chrystal McFarland, of Des Moines. “It’s the biggest party of the year.”McFarland wears a shirt showing off her East Side pride every year to the fair.The night is meant to be a reunion for the people from the east side of Des Moines to catch up and enjoy music, food and brews.“I think it’s important to have pride for your town, especially ln this side of the town. It’s not very often that happens. We also have enormous alumni at East High. I’m so proud of that,” McFarland said.The crowds keep hotspots, like Jalapeno Pete’s and The Depot, busy all night long.“Between the food, the beer, the pop and having a good time, it’s just gobs of people,” said Kristy Keeler, manager at The Depot.“By far and away, it’s the busiest night of the fair,” said Nancy Pietz, manager at Jalapeno Pete’s.Managers said they double their staff on East Side night to handle the demand, but it’s all part of the fun.“I enjoy it because I enjoy seeing the people from year to year and just seeing everybody have a good time,” said Keeler.There will be increased local law enforcement Friday night watching for impaired drivers.

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Thousands of people are crowding the Iowa State Fair Friday night to celebrate East Side night.

“We just all get together,” said Chrystal McFarland, of Des Moines. “It’s the biggest party of the year.”

McFarland wears a shirt showing off her East Side pride every year to the fair.

The night is meant to be a reunion for the people from the east side of Des Moines to catch up and enjoy music, food and brews.

“I think it’s important to have pride for your town, especially ln this side of the town. It’s not very often that happens. We also have enormous alumni at East High. I’m so proud of that,” McFarland said.

The crowds keep hotspots, like Jalapeno Pete’s and The Depot, busy all night long.

“Between the food, the beer, the pop and having a good time, it’s just gobs of people,” said Kristy Keeler, manager at The Depot.

“By far and away, it’s the busiest night of the fair,” said Nancy Pietz, manager at Jalapeno Pete’s.

Managers said they double their staff on East Side night to handle the demand, but it’s all part of the fun.

“I enjoy it because I enjoy seeing the people from year to year and just seeing everybody have a good time,” said Keeler.

There will be increased local law enforcement Friday night watching for impaired drivers.